Suspected al Qaeda terrorists hijack American planes and crash into New York City's Twin Towers, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a barren field in Pennsylvania - ultimately killing thousands of Americans, which begins President George W. Bush's campaign to eliminate terrorism worldwide.

President Bush makes his State of the Union speech, and establishes Iraq, along with Iran and North Korea, as an "axis of evil." He promises that the United States "will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons."

April 20

War protests

Washington, D.C.

A coordinated anti-Afghanistan war protest involving all major coalitions attempt to "Stop the War at Home and Abroad." Some 75,000 to 120,000 protesters gather.

May 14

UN Blockades Iraq

Iraq

The UN Security Council anylizes and readmits the 11-year-old sanctions against Iraq, which begins a new list of procedures for processing contracts for humanitarian supplies and equipment. The United States, by way of the sanctions committee, is now preventing $5 billion of material from entering Iraq.

September 12

UN General Assembly

New York City

President Bush makes his address at the opening of the UN General Assembly, challenging the body to "confront the grave and gathering danger of Iraq, or become irrelevant."

September 17

National Security Strategy

Washington, D.C.

President Bush releases his administration's National Security Strategy, which leans towards a conservative military approach. Bush's new strategy states that "the United States will exploit its military and economic power to encourage free and open societies." His release also prioritizes that the U.S. Army's military influence is not to be challenged, as it was during the Cold War.

October 10

Congress authorizes Iraq control

Washington, D.C.

A joint resolution is adopted by Congress that authorizes the use of force against Iraq, and gives the Bush administration chargeable reasoning to wage explicit military action against Iraq.

November 8

UN Security Council approves arms inspections

New York, NY

Resolution 1441 is unanimously approved by the UN Security Council. The resolution creates stiff new arms inspections for Iraq, which also means "serious consequences" if Iraq decides not to cooperate.

Chief UN Weapons Inspector Hans Blix states, "Iraq appears not to have come to a genuine acceptance, not even today, of the disarmament that was demanded of it." President Bush then receives a letter the same day, which is signed by 130 members of the House of Representatives  encouraging him to "let the inspectors work."

January 28

Bush threatens Iraq without UN's approval.

Washington, D.C.

President Bush makes his State of the Union address, and states that "Saddam Hussein is not disarming." Bush indicates that he is ready to invade Iraq with UN approval or not.

February 14

UN inspection report

Iraq

Chief inspecter Hans Blix reports to the UN that Iraq is beginning to cooperate with inspections.

February 15

Peace protests

International

The largest day of peace protests in world history is coordinated, affirming that "The World Says No to War." Antiwar demonstrators in than 600 cities participate.

Under Resolution 1441, the U.S., the U.K., and Spain submit a proposed resolution to the UN Security Council stating that Iraq has not cooperated sufficiently with inspectors, and military force is now required. France, Germany, and Russia do not agree with the resolution for war and request a more intense inspection process to avert a war with Iraq.

March 1

Iraq cooperates with inspectors

Iraq

Iraq begins to destroy its Al Samoud 2 missiles.

March 12

City council resolution

New York, N.Y.

New York City passes a city council resolution opposing a war against Iraq, joining more than 150 other U.S. cities. Councilman Alan Gerson states, "We, of all cities, must uphold the preciousness and sanctity of human life."

February 24 - March 14

UNSC antiwar

U.S./U.K.

The United States and Great Britain's intense lobbying efforts among UN Security Council (UNSC) members yields support only from Spain and Bulgaria. With little support for war, the U.S. decides not to call for a vote on war with Iraq.

March 17

UN unresolved/Bush gives ultimatum

New York City, N.Y.

Diplomacy for Iraq has ended, and weapons inspectors quickly evacuate. President Bush warns Saddam and his sons to leave Iraq or else war is coming.

March 19

U.S. attacks

Iraq

The beginning of the Iraq "decapitation attack" gets under way when the United States launches Operation Iraqi Freedom. The first air strike pin-points Saddam Hussein and other top officials in Baghdad.

March 20

Continued air strikes

Iraq/Kuwait

A second round of air strikes in Baghdad is launched by the U.S. Ground troops of the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, the U.S. 3rd Division and 1st Marine Expeditionary Force invade southern Iraq from Kuwait. British air and ground attacks begin to take control of Iraq's Faw Peninsula while U.S. Marines begin to "pepper" the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr. Pentagon officials state that the "shock and awe" operations have been temporarily halted to assess the initial bombing damage.

March 21

Baghdad heavily targeted

Iraq

The shock-and-awe bombing strategy by the Americans resumes with intense air strikes on Baghdad and the outlining cities of Tikrit, Mosul, and Kirkuk. Iraq's 8,000-man unit of the 51st Army Division surrenders to coalition forces at the Southern Iraq border.

March 22

U.S. troops advance/Heavy air strikes

Iraq

U.S.-led coalition troops advance more than 150 miles into Iraqi territory and cross the Euphrates River using existing bridges. Heavy U.S. air strikes, accompanied by both manned and unmanned aircraft, continue a brutal punishment in Iraq with more than 1,500 sorties flown.

March 23

Marines ambushed in Nasiriya

Iraq

An Iraqi ambush, using massive artillery, inflicts heavy casualties on U.S. Marines in the city of Nasiriya.

March 24

Heavy resistance

Iraq

Now within 60 miles of Baghdad, coalition troops encounter much stronger resistance from Iraqi soldiers and paramilitary fighters in such towns as Nassiriya and Basra. Two Apache helicopter pilots are taken prisoner in the area. Coalition helicopters and planes continue to carpet bomb a path for ground troops to advance into Baghdad.

March 25

U.S. and British gaining ground

Iraq

Conceivably the biggest firefight of the war. Some 200 Iraqis are killed by U.S.-led coalition forces in the Euphrates Valley east of Najaf. U.K. troops stomp a "mud hole" into a battalion-sized counterattack by Iraqi forces southeast of Basra. Coalition deaths in Iraq climb to 43.

March 26

173rd Airborne Brigade secures airfield

Kurdish-controlled area

1,000 U.S. paratroopers from the U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade take control of an airfield in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq. The airfield will allow for more troop deployment, as well as humanitarian supplies to be delivered to the suppressed people.

March 28

Iraqi troops fire on innocent civilians

Iraq

Iraqi troops fire on thousands of civilians trying to flee Basra. Three U.S. Marine infantry battalions occupy the northern and southern parts of Nasiriya. The longest helicopter-borne air assault operation in history takes place as hundreds of coalition soldiers are dropped into numerous cities surrounding Baghdad.

March 29

Heated firefight for Nasiriya

Iraq

Along the Euphrates River, U.S. Marines and Iraqi fighters exchange heavy munitions for occupation of Nasiriya.

March 30

Massive U.S. bombing

Iraq

The U.S. increases air strikes against Suddam's Republican Guard troops south of Baghdad  some 800 strike sorties  in one of the most intense days of bombing in the 11-day war.

April 1

U.S. forces surround Baghdad/Pfc. Jessica Lynch is rescued

Iraq

In the official beginning of the battle of Baghdad, U.S. forces begin a major ground offensive against Republican Guard divisions south of the capital. Fighting also heats up in Karbala. U.S. Marines attack Iraqi militia units in Nasiriya. The U.S. 4th Infantry Division arrives in Kuwait City with 5,000 troops. Nineteen-year-old U.S. Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, missing since March 23 after an Iraqi ambush near Nasiriya, is rescued.

April 2

U.S. troops close in on Baghdad

Iraq

U.S. troops are nearing Baghdad after beating back Iraqi Republican Guard units in what one officer calls a quick-moving battle. The U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division engaged the Republican Guard near Karbala, and with "little effort," capture the city. Also, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force takes on the Republican Guard's Baghdad Division (Saddam's elite), and capture a bridge crossing the Tigris River. Other Marines in Nasiriya continue their block-to-block sweeps for pestering Iraqi militia.

Southwest of Iraq's capital, U.S.-led coalition forces target ground and air attacks on Saddam International Airport. The 3rd Infantry Division pushes through the Karbala Gap, as soldiers with the division's 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment and the 3rd Brigade Combat Team continue a relentless assault. Also, the 1st Battalion of the 7th Marines secure two locations on the outskirts of Kut. The 101st Airborne Division takes control of Najaf and isolated Iraqi loyalists in the area. Near the southern city of Samawa, the 82nd Airborne Division launches a surprise attack on paramilitary forces attempting to organize north of the city. British forces begin a two-day artillery and rocket barrage on Iraqi forces around Basra and Zubayr.

April 4

Kurdish militia take Khazar; Republican Guard troops surrender

Iraq

U.S. forces now hold Baghdad's airport, 12 miles outside the city center, but they are still facing sporadic resistance. Approximately 2,500 Iraqi soldiers with the Republican Guard's Baghdad Division have surrendered to U.S. Marines between Kut and Baghdad. In northern Iraq, Kurdish forces easily capture the town of Khazar.

April 5

U.S. swarms Baghdad

Iraq

With the airport secure, U.S. forces now drive into the heart of downtown Baghdad with intermittent resistance. The U.S. Army's V Corps, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, and 1st Battallion, 7th Marines, also move into Baghdad. As the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force progresses into the capital city, they emerge victorious from "hand-to-hand" combat with an Iraqi infantry unit.

With highways strategically "locked down," U.S.-led coalition forces (including U.S. Army reconnaissance) encircle Baghdad and engage pockets of Iraqi resistance. Under cover of darkness, a C-130 Hercules transport plane brings troops and equipment to the capital's airport - the first coalition plane to land at the Baghdad airport since the Americans take control of it.

U.S. air strikes target a building with senior Iraqi officials in it. American tanks crunch their way into Baghdad and seize two of Saddam Hussein's palaces while pushing over a huge statue of the Iraqi dictator. The U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade unleashes a downpour of heavy artillery upon Iraqi forces in northern Iraq. Basra, Iraq's second-largest city, is taken by British forces, where they set up a base. "Chemical Ali," Saddam's first cousin, is found dead in Basra. Iraqi militia (some disguised in women's clothing) ineffectively ambush a U.S. Marine platoon in Diwaniyah.

Three weeks into the war, coalition forces are now moving at will within and around Baghdad; however, pockets of Saddam's regime linger on. Fifty miles south of Baghdad, in the town of Hillah, units with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division engage in a heated battle with Iraqi forces  with help from U.S. tanks, helicopters and air support, the 101st manages to dominate the firefight.

April 9

Iraqi citizens loot Baghdad/Iraqi troops still offer resistance

Iraq

Following days of coalition bombing, hundreds of celebrating Baghdad citizens loot the city. U.S. Marines are attacked at Baghdad University after initially being greeted by happy citizens three hours earlier. Iraqi defense forces are reinforced at the birthplace of Saddam in the town of Tikrit.

April 10

Medium Iraqi resistance

Iraq

Units of the U.S. 173rd Airborne Brigade progress into Tikrut after the Kurdish forces take the city. Iraq's 5th Corps surrender to U.S. and Kurdish forces outside Mosul; however, resistance from Iraqi forces surrounding Mosul and Tikrit lingers. At a U.S. Marine checkpoint in Baghdad, a Saddam loyalist with explosives strapped to his body blows himself up  wounding four marines.

April 11

Militia bus intercepted/Town of Mosul signs cease-fire

Iraq

A bus heading west out of Iraq, carrying 59 males, is stopped by Australian Special Forces. The fleeing Iraqis had approximately $6,000,000 and literature stating that more money would be presented to them if more American casualties occurred. U.S.-led coalition troops encounter heavy Iraqi resistance near a Syrian border town. Also, the commander of the Iraqi Army's 5th Corps signs a cease-fire in Mosul.

April 12

Marines deploy for uncontrolled city of Tikrit/Town of Kut is controlled by coalition forces

Iraq

Divisions of the U.S. 1st Marine Expeditionary Unit leave Baghdad for Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, one of the few Iraqi cities not under coalition control. Citizens of Kut, about 40 miles southeast of Baghdad, peacefully welcome U.S. Marines as the city comes under coalition control following talks between Kut civic leaders and U.S. officials.

April 13

Fighting begins inside Tikrit

Iraq

U.S. Marines stage an offensive attack inside of Tikrit on approximately 2,500 Iraqi fighters faithful to dethroned Iraqi leader Saddam Hussen. U.S. General Tommy Franks publicly announces that Iraq is now an "ex-regime;" however, just short of calling the war a victory. Iraqi militia and sporadic terrorism constitute what remains.

April 14

Marines control Tikrit

Iraq

Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit is mopped-up by U.S. Marines. With lighter resistance than expected, Marines establish checkpoints throughout the city.

April 9

Baghdad falls

Iraq

U.S. forces advance into central Baghdad. In following days, Kurdish fighters and U.S. forces take control of the northern cities of Kirkuk and Mosul. There is widespread looting in the capital and other cities.

April 18

Compliance in Baghdad

Iraq

In the battered streets of Baghdad, tens of thousands march, calling for an Islamic state. The demonstration is Baghdad's largest gathering since the arrival of U.S. forces.

May 1

Major combat operations end

Iraq

Only 43 days after announcing the start of the war in Iraq, Bush announces to the nation on live television that major combat operations in Iraq have ended. Bush also states that "the toppling of Saddam Hussein's government was one victory in a war on terror that began on September 11th, 2001, and still goes on." His live speech was given from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

May 12

New U.S. diplomat deployed

Iraq

Because of increased looting, lawlessness, and violence in Iraq, former civil administrator, Jay Garner, is replaced by diplomat and former chief of the counter-terrorism department at the U.S. State Department, Paul Bremer.

May 19

Baghdad protests

Iraq

Thousands of Shi'a and Sunni Muslims protest peacefully in Baghdad against the U.S.-led occupation.

May 22

New resolution for Iraq

New York, N.Y.

The UN Security Council approves a resolution acknowledging U.S./U.K. as occupying powers in Iraq and lifts sanctions.

June 28

Political rebuilding

Iraq

Self-rule in provincial cities becomes a problem. U.S. military commanders order a halt to local elections, and hand pick mayors and administrators themselves. Ironically, many of the hand-picked officials are former Iraqi military leaders fresh off the battlefield.

July 9

War cost estimate

Washington, D.C.

The cost of U.S. forces in Iraq tops $3.9 billion a month, double that previously reported, and not including funds for reconstruction or relief. 140,000 U.S. troops will remain in Iraq for the "foreseeable future."

July 13

Iraq drafts new constitution

Iraq

Iraq's temporary governing council, composed of 25 Iraqis, are appointed by U.S. and British officials, as what is known as Iraq's interim governing council. These Iraqis are given the authority to name ministers and will ultimately draw up a new constitution for the battered country. U.S. civil administrator Paul Bremer remains under supervisory control of the new constitution being created.

July 17

U.S. casualties continue to rise

Iraq

U.S. combat deaths in Iraq reach 147, the same number of soldiers who died from hostile fire in the first Gulf War. Of the total, 32 occur after May 1, the officially declared end of combat.

July 22

Uday and Qusay killed

Iraq

Suddam's sons, Uday and Qusay Hussein, are killed in a gun battle.

August 19

Truck bombing

Iraq

A truck bombing of (UN) headquarters in Baghdad kills 20, severely wounds many more, which provokes questions about the UN's future role in rebuilding Iraq. Among the dead is Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

December 14

Saddam is located

Iraq

Saddam Hussein is found hiding in an underground bunker and is captured.

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